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PubMed1983

[Hyperthyroidism in the aged].

Clinical symptoms in elderly patients with hyperthyroidism are atypical and uncharacteristic. In 13 patients with overt hyperthyroidism a goiter was found in only half the patients, eye signs in just three of them. Tachycardias, sometimes even paroxysmal tachycardias, predominate. In old people the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is frequently missed, in 11 of 13 patients the disease was diagnosed following transfer to the rehabilitation center. About 50% of patients were iodine contaminated and this may have contributed to the disease. Data are presented to demonstrate that hyperthyroidism in old age may be a life threatening disease.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Prosthetic management of the elderly following amputation of the lower extremities].

We report on 162 patients with one- or two-sided amputations above the ankle joint. Seventy-nine percent of these patients were candidates for artificial limbs; substantial differences are shown in respect to the height of the amputation: there are considerably more patients who can use a prosthesis after a lower leg amputation than after one- or two-sided upper leg amputation. Counterindications for prostheses were, on the whole, principally arterial scleroses. As expected, almost 95% of the one-side amputees, and approximately 100% of the (considerably younger) both-side amputees were discharged from hospital with a degree of self-sufficiency. Some of the patients not provided with an artificial limb were able to return home as well (87.5%). Absolute independence was seldom reached and social assistance had to be arranged for many amputees.

Activities of Daily Living↗